Device for attaching automobile-mats to running-boards



Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

E. LA CRGEX AND E. A. LOGMIS. DEVICE FOR ATTACHING AUTOMOBILE MATS T0 RUHHING BOMEDS. APPLICAHON HLED FEB. 30,1920.

1N VEN TOR 8, [mile lei Crux, Ea'llil?! .ril iwmzlr A TTORNE Y UNITED A star- 15s Parent orrice- EMILE LA GROIX,

OF HOLYOKE, AND EDWIN A. LOOMIS, OF SOUTH HADLEY BALLS,

MASSACHUSETTS.

DEVICE FOR ATTACHI'NG- AUTOLEOBILE-l-VIATS TO RUNNING-BOARDS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 25, 1921.

Application filed February 10, 1920. Serial No. 357,504.

To all wlwmit may concern;

Be it knownthat we, EMILE LA Cnoix, of Holyoke, and Enwiri A. LooMIs, of South Hadley Falls, both in I-Iampden county, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, citizens of the United States, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Devices for Attaclr ing Automobile-Mats to Running-Boards, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in devices for securing mats or small rugs to the running board of. an automobile in order to prevent their being readily removed by unauthorized persons unless provided with special tools for that purpose. The invention comprises in general, wire or other similar devices adapted to engage the rear edge and lower side of the board at one end and connected to the mat at its other end, also means for engaging the lower side and front edge of the running board and the other edge of the mat or rug, specially constructed securing devices being used for this part of the improvement as will fully appear in the body of the specification.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a portion of the running board showing the mat in place on the board.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 showing the manner of attaching the mat in place at its front and rear edges.

Fig. 3 is a detail view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showing the means of adjustably securing the rear attaching rod to the mat.

Fig. 4 is a modified construction for attaching the mat to the board, and

Fig. 5 is a detail view of the means of attaching the forward edge of the mat to the forward edge of the board.

Referring to the drawings in detail: 1 designates the usual running board of an automobile, 2 a rubber or cocoa mat of usual construction, having a border portion 3. Secured to the under and rear side of the mat is a slidable rod 1 which is adjustably retained with relation to the mat by means of the insert piece 5 having a set screw 6 therein for frietionally retaining the rod in place within the insert piece, as shown in Fig. 3. The set-screw 6 is turned against the rod 1 after the piece 5 is placed in position. At the forward edge of the mat is a depending portion 7 having an inwardly extending offset portion 8. Located back of the ofiset portion 8 is a plate 9 the upper edge of whichengages the underside of the running board 1 and having a threaded opening to receive the screw 10 shown in detail in Fig. This screw is for attaching the plate 9 to the part 8. The plate 9 is not attached to the board 1 but rests against the underside of the same for holding the mat 2 down against the board. The screw 10 is formed with a conical shaped head portion 11 and two integralprojections 12 thereon. These projections provide suitable means for turning the screw into place, and, after the screw is in place the projections are broken off, thus preventing the screw from being removed since the head is flush with the outer surface 8' of the part 8. In order to prevent the removal of the screw 10, a setscrew 13 is provided. This set-screw is pr0 vided with a hexagonal shaped recess 14-. designed to receive a special correspondingly shaped wrench in order to prevent its removal by unauthorized persons. 15 designates a scraper secured to the forward edge of the mat and spaced therefrom, as indicated at 16.

Referring now to Fig. 1, in which the ad justable rod 4 is made longer, as indicated at 17, and formed with a hook portion 17 for connection with the plate 18, this plate is formed with an upright portion 18 through which passes a set screw 19, which is turned tightly against a bracket 20 secured to the lower side of the running board 1. The plate 18, may, if desired, be formed with a dove-tail portion 18 for attachment to the forward edge of the border plate of the mat 2, as shown.

In operation, the mat is secured in place as follows: It is placed on the board with its forward edge in position, as shown. The wire or hook 4 is adjusted to engage the rear edge of the board and then secured in place by means of the set screw 6. The screw 10 is now turned in place and the lugs 12 broken off. The set screw 13 is now turned against the screw 10 by inserting a special wrench in the recess 14.

In the modification the same operations are required, except the hook part 17 of the wire 17 is passed through the opening in the plate 18 before the set screws 6 and 19 are tightened and then the set-screw 19 is tightened by turning the same against the bracket 20.

What We claim is:

1. A device for securing a mat to the'running board of an automobile, comprising, in combination, means adjustably attached to the rear portion of the mat and engaging the underside of the board, means at the for- Ward edge of the mat and engaging the forward edge of the board, a plate engaging the underside of the board, and means for connecting the means at the forward edge of themat and the plate, said connecting means having projections for turning the same into its connection position and designed for permanent removal after the connecting means is in place, as described.

'2. In a mat securing device for running boards, the combination, of an adjustable member for connecting t e rear edge of the mat to the rear edge of the board, the forward edge of the mathaving a depending portion, and means for permanently attaching the mat at the'forward edge of the board.

3. In a mat securing device for running boards, the combination, of an adjustable member for connecting the rear edge of the mat to the rear edge of the board, the for- Ward edge of the mat having a depending portion, and means for permanently attaching the mat at the forward edge of the board,

said means including a screw having its outer unthreaded-end flush with a depending part of the mat and said screwhaving its unthreaded end free from any projections or depressions as described, to prevent its removal.

p 4. In a mat securing device, for running boards, the combination, of an adjustable hook at the rear portion of the mat for engaging the rear and underside of the board, a non-removable attaching device Ward edge of the mat for securing the same to thefront side of the board. j

' EMILE LA CROIX.

EDWIN A. 'LOOMIS.

at the for- 

